Last updated on August 25th, 2023 at 12:07 pm
Hoya incrassata, commonly known as the common waxflower plant, is one of the most popular flowering plants around the world and can be easily found in many gardening stores. Because they are so easy to grow and propagate, they have become a staple in many homes.
However, there are many myths surrounding their care, which often leads to difficulties in growing them.
Hoya plants are fairly easy to grow, but they can be finicky in their soil and sunlight requirements. With care, though, you can grow hoya plants indoors or out, producing beautiful flowers and succulent fruit year after year. Here’s how to grow a waxflower plant (hoya incrassata).
Origin and distribution
Hoya incrassata (common waxflower) is an evergreen perennial vine native to Mexico, Central America, and South America. In its natural habitat, it grows up to 20 m high in the forest canopy.
Hoya incrassata is a species of flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae. It was discovered and first described by John Sims in 1782. Its native range includes Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, Java, and surrounding islands in Indonesia; it has been introduced to many other tropical areas worldwide and it is naturalized in Florida and Bermuda.
In tropical regions, there are several recognized subspecies as well as many local forms. The most widely cultivated form is ‘Alba’ which has white flowers with pinkish throats. There are also numerous cultivars selected for variations in flower color including reds, oranges, and yellows as well as bi-colors.
The leaves vary from about 4–8 inches long by 1–2 inches wide, ovate or lanceolate with an acute apex and tapering base. They have prominent veins on both sides of the leaf which can be seen when held up to the light.
Hoya incrassata propagation
The Hoya incrassata is a very unique flowering plant that is called a waxflower because of its fleshy texture. Because of this texture, they sometimes do not grow from cuttings and require a special technique for propagation called grafting.
Grafting involves taking scions or pieces of existing plants and joining them to the roots of existing plants. It can be tricky to get right but with practice it becomes easy. You will need a sharp knife, potting soil, rooting hormone powder, and some patience.
Follow these steps below to learn how to propagate your own Hoya incrassata:
First, you need to select a healthy seedling to use as a rootstock. Make sure that it hasn’t bloomed yet. As long as you have one that has only grown leaves then all is good! Now using your sharp knife, chop off both stems of each plant at an angle just above where they join together so that both have 2 nodes/buds.
Wash off any old dirt on these nodes and apply some rooting powder into each node before placing one on top of another, and until they make contact.
Then wrap them in a damp paper towel and place them in a plastic bag for about two weeks. After two weeks open up your bag to check if roots have started growing from each node. If not, wait another week or two before checking again.
Once you see roots growing from both nodes, then it’s time to transplant them into separate pots filled with potting soil. Water thoroughly after transplanting and keep them out of direct sunlight for at least 3 months while waiting for new growth to appear.
Hoya incrassata care information
Hoya incrassata, or common waxflower plant, needs moderately moist soil and does not like direct sunlight. Fertilize regularly in spring and summer with a liquid fertilizer for flowering plants. Hoya incrassata is propagated by stem tip cuttings in late spring to early summer or from seeds.
Light requirement
Hoya incrassata should be grown in bright, indirect light. This is an ideal place for a south-facing window. It can tolerate some shade, but it will appreciate some direct sunlight. You can supplement natural light with fluorescent lighting as well; just be sure that you check on your plant often and adjust accordingly. As a general rule of thumb, if your Hoya is leaning towards being too dry or thirsty, it’s time to increase your lighting situation.
Soil/potting mix
The first step is to make sure your plant’s growing environment is suitable. While some Hoya plants thrive in wet feet with lots of water, others will do better with less moisture, so it helps to know which variety you’re caring for. Your soil or potting mix should drain well; they don’t like standing water. A common recommendation is to use a mixture of 50% pumice and 50% peat moss.
You can also add perlite if you want more drainage. Some people even recommend adding sand as an alternative to perlite—but be aware that sand can compact over time, making it harder for air and water to reach your plant’s roots.
Watering
Hoya incrassata is an indoor plant with a small root system that thrives in moist environments. It prefers to be kept in a humid area, and because of its waxy leaves, it cannot tolerate being over-watered or even under-watered. Aside from watering, you also need to pay attention to its temperature.
Fertilizer
In general, Hoya incrassata is a pretty low-maintenance plant. During its growing season, it will absorb nutrients from indoor air and can go for about two weeks without fertilizer. If you notice that your plant isn’t growing as quickly as usual, you may want to add fertilizer, try a dilute solution of fish emulsion, and water until your next watering. Also, note that your plant will produce flowers more quickly if it has extra fertilizers in its soil.
Temperature
Hoya incrassata is a tropical plant, which means that it cannot withstand very low temperatures. Temperatures between 50°F and 70°F are perfect for Hoya incrassata and will help it thrive. Even if you keep your plant outside during summer, bring it inside when temperatures drop below 50°F; otherwise, your plant will become dormant. Most Hoya varieties are suited for indoor growing all year long as long as they receive enough light and water.
Humidity
Hoya incrassata is also known as waxflower, or a common household plant. Hoya incrassata is a vine that has thick leaves with an intricate pattern of swirls on them, giving it an amazing look. If you’re going to take care of your Hoya incrassata, make sure that you have a lot of indirect sunlight in your room. A few direct beams will do no harm, but over-exposure to direct sunlight can cause leaf burn.
The ideal humidity range is between 50% and 70%. If you have a humidifier, use it to keep your plant’s environment at an optimal level. A good way to check if your Hoya incrassata needs more water is by looking at its leaves. If they’re starting to curl up, it’s time for a drink. You can also tell if your plant needs water when you see that its leaves are drooping down.
Pruning
You may need to prune hoya incrassata from time to time if it becomes overgrown. If you notice your plant is looking unkempt or that a branch looks like it’s about to break, simply use sharp scissors or shears and prune accordingly. This can help improve airflow throughout your plant and remove any potential hazards.
When to repot
If your Hoya plant is outgrowing its pot, repot it into a larger one. Most Hoyas grow slowly enough that they can be kept in small pots for years on end. The plant’s root system will eventually fill a 4-inch pot; when it does, shift to a bigger pot. Eventually, you’ll have to give your Hoya its own 15- or 20-gallon container, or transplant it into a hanging basket.
Dormancy
In temperate regions, it is necessary to place your plant in a cool, dim room for about six weeks during dormancy. We recommend putting them in a bag made of breathable material and storing them. As dormancy occurs naturally, it can be difficult to tell when your plant should return to its normal routine. One sign that dormancy has ended is when new growth appears on your plant.
If you’re not sure whether or not your plant needs dormancy, ask an expert at your local garden center or florist. If you notice any changes in leaf coloration, it may be time to bring your plant out of dormancy; however, if you see no signs of life after several months, contact a professional for advice.
Hoya incrassata flower & fragrance
Hoya incrassata is valued for its pendulous tubular flowers which have a reddish-white corolla with purple spots inside, produced on wiry stems throughout warm weather. The fragrant flowers are produced in clusters along short leafless stems in late summer and autumn.
Growth rate
This plant is a slow-growing perennial that’s prized for its colorful foliage. Grow it indoors or outdoors in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 10 and 11, but place it outside in the shade or partial shade in cooler areas. Even if you live in a frost-free area, you can still overwinter Hoya incrassata by bringing it indoors to an unheated room with good light but not direct sun.
Toxicity
Hoya incrassata is toxic to pets and humans. Signs of Hoya incrassata poisoning include vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, weakness, respiratory problems, and death. Treatment includes inducing vomiting and contacting your veterinarian.
Hoya incrassata should be kept away from small children and pets in order to prevent accidental ingestion. Remember that Hoya incrassata leaves are extremely poisonous so make sure children don’t come into contact with them under any circumstances!
USDA Hardiness Zones
Hoya incrassata grows best in USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11. In colder climates, it can be grown as a houseplant. It will do well indoors if given enough light and warmth.
Pests and diseases
Hoya incrassata is a hearty and resilient houseplant that usually does not fall prey to many pests or diseases. The most common issue you may run into with Hoya incrassata are spider mites, which will create webbing and small dark spots on your leaves. Spider mites can be controlled by an occasional misting of water over your plant’s leaves, this dislodges their eggs from plants’ surface.
In addition, hoyas do best in indirect sunlight; bright light can cause yellowing leaves and leaf drops. If your plant is getting too much sun it may also become susceptible to root rot. To combat root rot, make sure you water your hoya regularly but don’t let it sit in standing water for too long at any given time. Make sure to take care of these issues quickly so they don’t turn into bigger problems!
Conclusion
Hoya is one of many species within its genus that are commonly known as waxflowers. They all come from plants with waxy leaves and create beautiful, soft flowers. There are approximately 150 different hoyas in total, and many of them produce fragrant flowers.
The plant has a vase life of about two weeks; after that time you should cut it back to force more blooms. Hoya can grow up to 6 feet tall indoors, so be sure to have plenty of room for your plant!
